The Noni

Another Seychelles SuperfruitBy Mma Metsi

If ever there was a plant that would pose a challenge it would be the Noni. The benefits of the juice made from its fruits are numerous but it stinks to the high heavens! How is one to swallow past a gag reflex? Mr Ferdinand Vidot, well-known Seychelles herbalist, advises a dash of another fruit juice of your choice, he himself prefers lemon juice but he laughingly recommends just, “being a man and gulping it down fast!”

The scientific name of the Noni is Morinda citrifolia and is interestingly of the coffee family. The Seychellois call it the “Bwa Torti” and recently its benefits have been touted across the country, down to a campaign to encourage the islanders to include the juice into their daily diet, but very few have been able to get past the stench.

Mr Vidot only uses the fruit, the leaves and bark of the tree but research has shown that all parts of the plant can be used. He uses the fruit both raw and juiced. He prescribes the raw fruit for stomach ailments such as diarrhoea, gas, acid reflux and constipation. The juice he uses to “calm” and prevent disease. He says that it can treat high blood pressure, colds, anxiety, and even cancer and diabetes. The bark, he grates into a powder that he uses to treat skin ailments such as rashes, boils, inflammation and infections. He makes a tea from the leaves to help with morning sickness or vomiting in general, coughs and other respiratory issues.

Research tells us that the noni is so effective because it is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium but mainly, it is a source of phytonutrients, which have antiinflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial compounds, known to boost the immune system as well as repair cellular damage.

The noni is also considered to be a treatment for Cancer and HIV, though the U.S. based Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it requires further scientific evidence before approving the medicinal value of these claims. And Mr Ferdinand also has a tall tale about the fruit keeping one “forever young” and though he is sprightly for his age, he is an old man. More information: http://www.drugs.com/ npc/noni.html / http://food.ndtv.com/ opinions/the-big-benefits-of-the-littlenoni-juice-753159.